Well as most of you know I sold my blue 91 Brougham. Been looking for a replacement car for about a month now, found this sweet 1995 Fleetwood in Houston TX.

http://www.jimsmintcars.com/95CadRed51kWEB.htm

Flew down there today and bought it. I'm in love with this car, it runs, rides, drives like a brand new one. Quick review and rundown:

Powertrain/engine, 4.5 out of 5:
The good old LT1, stock as a rock with 260hp and a hefty 335lb-ft torque. This car has the "performance axle ratio, 2.93" Kind of funny how a 2.93 rear end ratio is considered performance. Anyways the LT1 really moves this big car with some serious alacrity. From a dead stop or flooring it at 80mph, this motor just sings and never feels out of breath. Its also extremely quiet and smooth, the transmission shifts are undetectable, even at WOT. This is one car, like a N* Cadillac, where you really have to watch your speed.

You all know I was considering a 90's Lexus LS400. I feel that the LT1 is a superior motor to the 1uzfe in the Lexus. Mainly its that down low torque that I just love about a big American V8. The Fleetwood would flat walk that Lexus from a dead stop, as the 1uzfe doesn't really start singing until it passes 3000rpm and picks up some speed. The Lexus is a highway monster, but the LT1 is no slouch either. Fuel economy in both cars is comparable, and the Lexus might be a little more refined and smooth, but not by much.

Only reason I didn't give this a 5 out of 5 is the 4l60e trans will break if you hoon on it, and the optispark is not one of GM's better ideas.

Exterior Styling 4.5 out of 5:
Well its big, bold, and Cadillac. I love the big chrome bumpers, this was the last car you could buy with chrome steel bumpers btw. I still think my old 91 was a little more of a looker, but that was mainly because you don't see boxy cars anymore. I love the fact that mine is a steel top, it looks a lot sleeker IMO. My car is in desperate need of a whitewall and wheel upgrade though, I'm not a big fan of the base wheels.

Interior 3 out of 5:
They definitely toned down the design on the interior compared to my 1991, or even compared directly to a 1995 Seville. That being said, it is screwed together better, no squeaks or rattles, no broken cupholders or anything like that. Its a good layout and nice, but you could also say that it would've been a nice interior in a Buick Roadmaster or Olds 98. Really the only thing I don't like is the dash is humougous and sits higher than the side windows.

Ride/handling 4 out of 5:
One of the best riding cars I've ever been in. It does float a little bit, but nothing like a 90's Town Car or a 70's land barge. Steering is real nice, no slop, tracks great, probably the best steering land barge along with a 2003+ Town Car. Handling is fine as long as you don't push it, then it will squeal the tires, lean over, and politely tell you "WTF man!?!?!?! SLOW DOWN!!!

I will say this is one area where the Lexus has this car flat beat. The LS400 didn't float, it did transmit more of the big potholes into the cabin, but by doing this it felt more planted and "isolated" IMO. Of course it handled better and did track straighter down the interstate. As far as road noise, I couldn't tell much of a difference between the two.

I'll post more about my roadtrip later, as I just got into New Orleans.

drewsdeville

05-28-11, 01:12 AM

+1 on the whitewalls. That car is screaming for them. Medium garnet red is the color of my current Eldo. I never see FW's in that color around here, or with such clean trim (no rust/staining/peeling). Looks good :thumbsup:

Stingroo

05-28-11, 01:18 AM

I want this car.

Right meow.

drewsdeville

05-28-11, 01:20 AM

I want this car.

Right meow.

http://www.threadbombing.com/data/media/4/mother_of_god.jpg

ga_etc

05-28-11, 01:27 AM

Gorgeous car! Looking forward to the trip review. Which route you taking home?

gdwriter

05-28-11, 02:35 AM

Beautiful! Other than here, I think those last Fleetwoods are underrated gems.

Stingroo

05-28-11, 08:23 AM

Drew = nailed it. :lol:

Jesda

05-28-11, 08:34 AM

Wow, nice! Good to see there's some clean ones still out there.

I~LUV~Caddys8792

05-28-11, 08:53 AM

Very awesome Aron! That Medium Garnet over tan is a beautiful color combination! All it needs now is atleast white walls, and maybe the Brougham package wheels.

Because you've got the 2.93:1 rear axle, which is the same thing my tow package Roadmaster had IIRC, does that mean you've got the mechanical fan as well?

I agree entirely with your assessment of the car though, especially the interior. It's incredibly rudimentary, and not as flashy as anything else Cadillac was doing at the time, or the earlier Broughams, but it's well built, incredibly spacious and quiet. I see yours lacks the Brougham package, but that makes it rarer, and I wonder how the seats feel compared to the Broughams?

In the summer of 2009, when I was looking to replace the S320, I found a BEAUTIFUL, low mile '96 Brougham in the same medlum garnet red/neutral color combination at a dealer in the Twin Cities. Much like yours, it was a southern car and it had like 69k miles on it. I drove it and really liked it, but it wasn't the most practical daily driver for the snowbelt, so I passed on it, but sometimes I kick myself for it.....like I am right now. :D

Good luck and god speed captain. :)

Stingroo

05-28-11, 09:06 AM

Tow package Fleetwoods (mechanical fan) are incredibly rare.

I~LUV~Caddys8792

05-28-11, 09:26 AM

I'd rather not have the mechanical fan, because it drowns out the sound of the LT1, especially when the motor is cold and the whole thing just sounds like some big over the road truck when the fan is engaged. I also remember a slight power decrease when the fan was engaged as well.

Stingroo

05-28-11, 09:34 AM

Yeah. I want to get dual electrics for the wagon too. Eventually, lol. I hate the way the big ass fan shroud just dominates the engine bay.

chatsworth

05-28-11, 02:49 PM

Lookin good! Another vote for the whitewalls, though.

---

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orconn

05-28-11, 04:37 PM

Great find! As others have said glad these clean Fleetwoods are still to be found.

Playdrv4me

05-31-11, 06:55 AM

Gorgeous!

hueterm

05-31-11, 11:08 AM

VERY nice...I would like to find a good Southern example of one of these at some point, maybe in place of one of the wagons...

Stingroo

05-31-11, 04:06 PM

Dibs on the DCM woody.

I'm just sayin'.

SDCaddyLacky

06-01-11, 02:11 AM

That's one fine purchase. Let us know how the road trip back home goes.

These Caddys are the last truly impressive and solidly built Cadillac's.

I do agree that interior is nothing special or to write home about, but you do get used to it after awhile. I appreciate the more modern interior anyways. The dash is just ridiculous and makes no sense. They could of easily made it less deep which would definitely helped with the front seat leg and knee room, and also could of brought the hood closer to the dash to create a longer looking hood.

These small annoyances I have gotten over, but I still wonder, why Cadillac, WHY!?

I rode in my dads 2001 Town Car Cartier Long Wheelbase edition last weekend, and I have to say the Town Car rode very nice, but for being such an expensive car, it wasn't completely isolated. I heard some rattles from somewhere in the interior while on the freeway, and the cabin transmitted more rough road harshness than my Fleetwood. Plus the interior felt super cheap for a Town Car, especially for being a Cartier! The plastics were toy like and flimsy. The seats were nice and big,but the leather felt like vinyl. The Fleetwood Brougham leather seats have a much higher quality feel to them, and are much nicer to touch and look at.

The big but is, the extended wheelbase Town Cars are massive inside! Mansion like massive. The rear seat leg room is unbelievable and it feels as if your riding in a limo. I like how the rear windows are longer than the standard Town Cars, it gives off a very deep sensation that you are sitting far away as possible from the driver. Also you can not feel any engine vibrations, none. That's one shiny spot where the 4.6 engine really stands out.

I still prefer the Caddy Fleets over any 90's Town Car or even early 2000's ones.

Congrats on your new purchase Aron!:cool2:

Destroyer

06-01-11, 09:06 AM

Now this is my kind of Caddy! Good luck with it. :yup:

Aron9000

06-02-11, 04:10 AM

Sorry I haven't updated this thread in a timely manner. Between work, visiting friends, family, and driving 900 miles I've been quite busy. I was going to post a bunch of photos of my trip but my photo hosting website is down for maintenance tonight.:bomb:

Anyways, the trip went super smooth and was a good bit of fun actually. The Caddy runs and drives amazing. I'm amazed that the 90's Town Car outsold the Fleetwood 2 to 1 back then, as the Caddy is a superior automobile in every respect except maybe for that fancy trip computer in the Lincoln.

I also got into a little race with a guy in a brown 2005+ DTS somewhere in Mississippi. The old Fleetwood put him in his place from a 70mph roll. I got a slight jump on him and pulled about a car length ahead until I hit the fuel cutoff at 108mph, then he shot by me. Probably going to get a reflash on the computer to eliminate that problem.

With the old man tires and an open diff, this thing will lay a mean patch of rubber if you're so inclined. Wish they'd put in a posi instead of that stupid traction control, that's really my only big gripe. My old Camaro had traction control as well, once again a stupid option, my right foot is all the traction control I need.

I also found the sound of the LT1 to be quite nice, especially compared to my 1991, which sounded like a giant vacume cleaner. The factory did a great job of giving it a proper exhaust note, even if you only hear it with the windows down.

BTW, I'm not that hard on my cars, except when I first get them. Gotta know what she'll do!!

Aron9000

06-03-11, 02:11 AM

All right some pictures and such from my trip.

Left Nasvhille on a 6:00am flight to Charlotte, then caught a plane to Houston. Arrived in Houston around 11:15am, it was past noon when Jim(the previous owner) picked me up. Thank goodness there was no airport drama, everything went smooth except for the big lady with the ghetto booty was taking up her seat and half of mine on the flight from Charlotte to Houston. She was really nice though so it wasn't a real big deal.

Jim picked me up in the Caddy at the airport. After a quick inspection and test drive, I was sold. Went to the bank, wired $$$ from my account to his, bam, done. Gave him a lift back to his house and was on my way to New Orleans around 2:00pm.

The drive from Houston to New Orleans was kind of crappy, about 1/3rd of the interstate was under construction with narrow lanes. Having a wide car and a stiff crosswind made it a little nerve racking. I will say those poor folks in Texas need the rain, it was very brown. As soon as you crossed the state line everything turned green. Lousiania was an interesting state, lots of swamp. Probably 1/3 of I-10 was a bridge over the swamps in LA.

I stopped at Whataburger, I think I was in Texas somewhere, but not sure. It was good, but didn't live up to the hype IMO. A definite step up over McD's, Wendy's, and such though.
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicles/full/35393347816.jpg (http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewgallery.php?action=viewimg&id=347816)

A few crappy Iphone pics of the car at Whataburger. Sorry this is all the photos I have right now.
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicles/full/35393347817.jpg (http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewgallery.php?action=viewimg&id=347817)
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicles/full/35393347818.jpg (http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewgallery.php?action=viewimg&id=347818)
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicles/full/35393347819.jpg (http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewgallery.php?action=viewimg&id=347819)

So I arrived in New Orleans around 8:30pm. Checked into the hotel, then went out for a walk to the French Quarter. I've never been to New Orleans, and got turned around a bit. Went down the wrong street, very dark and two thug looking guys were eyeing me up from across the street. Decided this was not a town to get lost in by myself and went back to the hotel.

Got a great bowl of gumbo from room service and went to sleep after a couple of hours. The Loews in New Orleans is really nice, a lot nicer than the one I work at IMO.
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicles/full/35393347822.jpg (http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewgallery.php?action=viewimg&id=347822)
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicles/full/35393347823.jpg (http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewgallery.php?action=viewimg&id=347823)

Aron9000

06-03-11, 02:28 AM

So I checked out of the hotel the next day around 9:00am, told myself I had to be in the car, heading out of town no later than 2:00pm Plenty of time to see the city IMO. It was freaking hot and muggy, but not a cloud in the sky, a pretty nice day to walk around the city.

I rode the street car from downtown on St. Charles Ave to the Garden District and past all the fancy mansions. Didn't take it to the end though, took the stop at Autobahn park.

Fountain at Autobahn park
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicles/full/35393347824.jpg (http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewgallery.php?action=viewimg&id=347824)
Lake at Autobahn Park, you can see the golf course that makes up most of the park land
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicles/full/35393347826.jpg (http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewgallery.php?action=viewimg&id=347826)

I walked all around that neighborhood and finally found a little coffee shop on the Tulane University campus. Got a danish and a bottle of water.

Its the BFG. Big friggin gun for the uninformed. It was on the Tulane campus, came off a battleship that served in WWI.
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicles/full/35393347831.jpg (http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewgallery.php?action=viewimg&id=347831)

One thing I really wanted to see was the cemeteries in New Orleans. Took the street car back the way I came about a mile and got off at Washington Ave. There was a city owned cemetery on Washington that was open to the general public.

The interesting thing is that this cemetery was really old, but people were still being buried in there. One of the newest dates I found on a tombstone, forgive the crooked picture. Also interesting is that there are several people buried in one tomb, must be stacked in there like firewood.
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicles/full/35393347835.jpg (http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewgallery.php?action=viewimg&id=347835)

Some of the tombs were in good shape, others not so much
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicles/full/35393347837.jpg (http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewgallery.php?action=viewimg&id=347837)
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicles/full/35393347839.jpg (http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewgallery.php?action=viewimg&id=347839)

This one was empty. Graverobbed???
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicles/full/35393347840.jpg (http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewgallery.php?action=viewimg&id=347840)
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicles/full/35393347841.jpg (http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewgallery.php?action=viewimg&id=347841)

I'm guessing that most of the people buried in the same tomb were all family members
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicles/full/35393347843.jpg (http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewgallery.php?action=viewimg&id=347843)

There were a lot of people in the city cemetery, and a couple of guided tour groups. I kind of wish I had enough time to do a guided tour, as I listened in on one of them, very interesting.

Caught the street car back to the French quarter.
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicles/full/35393347845.jpg (http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewgallery.php?action=viewimg&id=347845)

Aron9000

06-03-11, 03:24 AM

Rolls Royce Silver Cloud on Bourbon street. It was either a Silver Cloud I or II, they didn't change them much on the outside, though. The big difference was under the hood: I was a straight six, the II was a V8. This could've been a 56 to 62 model, I don't know these cars well enough to tell the difference between years though. This one was a little beat up, still a beautiful car though.
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicles/full/35393347903.jpg (http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewgallery.php?action=viewimg&id=347903)

Had lunch here at this little quaint hole in the wall. Sorry no food pics, I ate half of my fried alligator po-boy before the thought ever occured to take a picture. Alligator tastes like chicken, kind of wish I had gotten something else but it was still very good.
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicles/full/35393347904.jpg (http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewgallery.php?action=viewimg&id=347904)

Jackson square, and of course the hero of New Orleans, Andrew Jackson. I wonder if half of the streets in New Orleans are named after him like in Nashville.
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicles/full/35393347908.jpg (http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewgallery.php?action=viewimg&id=347908)

St. Patrick's Cathedral in the French quarter, right on Jackson square. Says on a huge placard next to the front door that Pope John Paul II visited there and worshiped with the church congregation in 1987. IMO the whole thing looks like Cinderella's Castle in Disney World.
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicles/full/35393347910.jpg (http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewgallery.php?action=viewimg&id=347910)

Another Rolls Royce Silver Cloud in front of St Patrick's. This one is a bit newer, a Silver Cloud III, produced from 63-66. Big difference is the headlights, and a revised interior. The Silver Cloud is my all time favorite Rolls, and I spend many hours polishing a cream white 1961 model when I was 16 for my 1st job.
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicles/full/35393347912.jpg (http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewgallery.php?action=viewimg&id=347912)
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicles/full/35393347913.jpg (http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewgallery.php?action=viewimg&id=347913)

Taken from Jackson Square looking at the riverfront. Pardon my crappy camera's overexposure. Jackson square is raised about 8-10 higher than the rest of the french quarter, and you can see how the levy is way higher than street level. Interesting that we were even able to build a city here, considering that the Mississippi is at a higher elevation than the whole rest of the town.
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicles/full/35393347915.jpg (http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewgallery.php?action=viewimg&id=347915)
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicles/full/35393347918.jpg (http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewgallery.php?action=viewimg&id=347918)
Guessing this ship was out of Mexico, it was massive
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicles/full/35393347919.jpg (http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewgallery.php?action=viewimg&id=347919)
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicles/full/35393347920.jpg (http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewgallery.php?action=viewimg&id=347920)
Looking back at the French quarter from the riverfront
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicles/full/35393347927.jpg (http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewgallery.php?action=viewimg&id=347927)
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicles/full/35393347924.jpg (http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewgallery.php?action=viewimg&id=347924)
The Loews
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicles/full/35393347929.jpg (http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewgallery.php?action=viewimg&id=347929)

Walked back to the hotel and passed Harrah's casino. Learned that by gambling $20 you get free parking in their garage, kind of wish I had known that instead of paying $28. I really regret not going to the casino that first night I came into town, even if they took my $100(that's my limit for casinos) in 10 minutes lol.

Final stop was at a neighborhood seafood market, picked up 4lbs of shrimp with the heads on. Had a nice shrimp boil on Sunday with my buds. The trip back was uneventful(other than that race with that brown DTS mentioned in my previous post), left New Orleans at 2:00, got home at 10:15, stopped twice, made freaking good time.

The Fleetwood is just designed to gobble up interstate miles. What I love about this one versus my old one, is you can drive at 90 or 100mph and be just as comfortable doing so, it has the power, its still quiet, it rides just as smooth going that fast, it drives the same at those speeds. I set the cruise at 80 to avoid the law, but this would be a great car for going out west in those lonely straight highways where you pass an oncoming car every 10 miles.

And I think I outdid Rick for epically long posting.

ga_etc

06-03-11, 04:05 AM

Sounds like you had a great time. :thumbsup: Need more pics of the car though.

Cool thread! I'd love to go see the craziness that is New Orleans. Did you go across Lake Pontchartrain? I've heard it's the longest bridge (22 miles or so) in the US.

stoveguyy

06-03-11, 10:03 AM

one look at the air intake and i think CAI. i think hotrod tv show did an upgrade episode on a similar vehicle. neighbor has a white buick roadmaster wagon. daily driver. he loves it. they just traded in their minivan for a acura mdx. wonder if the buick is next.

Aron9000

06-04-11, 01:38 AM

^ Yeah I might do an air intake, reflash the computer to get rid of that pesky speed limiter, tint the windows, and maybe some Impala SS wheels/tires with Caddy centercaps. Not going to do anything to exhaust or suspension, I LOVE the quiet float going on with the stock parts. Oh and maybe upgrade to a factory CD player or changer, not going aftermarket this time.

Might also look at putting a hood ornament from an 80's/early 90's Brougham on it, the one on my old car was a lot bigger, more detailed, and flashier.

Stingroo

06-04-11, 01:43 AM

Don't do SS wheels.... so played out.

Aron9000

06-04-11, 01:48 AM

Don't do SS wheels.... so played out.

True, but I do like how they could've been OEM to the car. Plus the 17" tall tire will still give you some cush and ride nicer than an 18 or 20 inch tire. And it just makes the car look like it has some fat meats under it.

Still not sure, going to post wheel thread in the RWD section.

ga_etc

06-04-11, 02:49 AM

Played out or not, the SS wheels still look great on the Fleetwoods. I'd either do the SS wheels, or a set of chrome Brougham wheels. Either would look excellent on that car.

I~LUV~Caddys8792

06-04-11, 08:45 AM

Its too bad you can't put the DTS "blades" onto a Fleetwood. That would look so badass.

Stingroo

06-04-11, 08:55 AM

Yeah those would look great.

Playdrv4me

06-05-11, 04:58 AM

I thought Elias' old OZ wheels looked pretty effin' epic.

Stingroo

06-05-11, 08:28 AM

Those aren't really an option unless he finds a used set. They were part of a group purchase on the Impala forum and all had to be redrilled to 5x5 for those guys.

They look good though.

93DevilleUSMC

06-05-11, 05:33 PM

Classic Cadillacs, beautiful cities, great food, great photos: this thread has everything that I love about the Cadillac Forums.

stoveguyy

06-07-11, 05:22 PM

found a nice 96 for 2k. needs fuel pump. do not like wirewheels but stock wheels are included.

96Fleetwood

06-08-11, 08:00 AM

Congrats, beautiful Fleetwood.

Make sure you get all your modifications lined up at once so you only reprogram the ECU once. I think I had mine reprogrammed 4-5 times and it added up $$$. 3.73 gears with Eaton Posi made the biggest difference and actually improved in-town gas mileage (worsened highway mileage). Best of luck! :thumbsup: